GWRRA

[mike72903]

Finally joined the GWRRA yesterday.  Or think I did as I have not received any kind of email from them yet regarding a member number, password etc.  Is it typical to have to wait a day or more?  They took my $80 quickly enough

[The emperor has no clothes]

Finally joined the GWRAA yesterday.  Or think I did as I have not received any kind of email from them yet regarding a member number, password etc.  Is it typical to have to wait a day or more?  They took my $80 quickly enough

I think they are waiting on the pics of you and your wife in matching riding attire. 

[Danny McMillin]

Was it maybe the GWRRA??????

[fudgie]

Finally joined the GWRAA yesterday.  Or think I did as I have not received any kind of email from them yet regarding a member number, password etc.  Is it typical to have to wait a day or more?  They took my $80 quickly enough

I think they are waiting on the pics of you and your wife in matching riding attire. 

     

[fudgie]

I was gonna join once and went with them on a couple rides and a meeting. I didn't fit in. 

[mike72903]

yes GWRRA.  I joined mostly for the motorcycle towing package.  Don't see myself much as a group rider. Kinda non-social The only person that can stand to be around me is my wife and sometimes I'm not sure about her 

[solo1]

I didn't fit in when I joined the GWRRA either.  It is regimented, sorta like the Boy Scouts.  The head of the GWRRA has his hand in everything.  Group improvement, individual improvement with fees charged,, goals, etc.   For me, my personal freedom idea didn't fit in with theirs.

The AMA, btw, has towing too without the regimented philosophy.

Just my opinion.

[Robert]

They dont take liberals   I was going to join but when I ride I want to enjoy myself and its so hard to find someone to ride with that you mesh with. I listen to people everyday I want to get away from that when I ride.

Just kidding, about the liberals by the way.

Most insurance companies have towing also.

[mike72903]

They dont take liberals   I was going to join but when I ride I want to enjoy myself and its so hard to find someone to ride with that you mesh with. I listen to people everyday I want to get away from that when I ride.

Just kidding, about the liberals by the way.

Most insurance companies have towing also. D

Maybe that's the problem.  Still haven't heard from them. Besides insurance I'm a little interested in getting an older Wing in really good condition. Strictly for the wife's comfort. Thought it would be a good source of reliable used bikes and info on what to look for.

[Robert]

They dont take liberals   I was going to join but when I ride I want to enjoy myself and its so hard to find someone to ride with that you mesh with. I listen to people everyday I want to get away from that when I ride.

Just kidding, about the liberals by the way.

Most insurance companies have towing also. D

Maybe that's the problem.  Still haven't heard from them. Besides insurance I'm a little interested in getting an older Wing in really good condition. Strictly for the wife's comfort. Thought it would be a good source of reliable used bikes and info on what to look for.

My friend bought a early 1500 wing with 10k miles on it cheap. It was a nice bike and rode really well but I would recomend the 1800's and some are going pretty cheap. As with most of the wings there really is not much in the way of problems with them.

http://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums/2-goldwing-technical-forum/365552-known-problems-goldwings.html

I lurk on this forum and they do have some that are technically savvy and they do have a lot of info.

[baldo]

They dont take liberals   I was going to join but when I ride I want to enjoy myself and its so hard to find someone to ride with that you mesh with. I listen to people everyday I want to get away from that when I ride.

Just kidding, about the liberals by the way.

Most insurance companies have towing also.

 

[Mr Whiskey]

They took my $80 quickly enough

Ya got about all you're gonna get out of 'em then

I would recomend the 1800's and some are going pretty cheap.

Agreed, & here's one of the best sources in the world for 'em....
http://gl1800riders.com/forums/6-gl1800-classifieds-4-sale-owner/
Seen some killer deals go through this board!

[Serk]

I didn't fit in when I joined the GWRRA either.  It is regimented, sorta like the Boy Scouts.  The head of the GWRRA has his hand in everything.  Group improvement, individual improvement with fees charged,, goals, etc.   For me, my personal freedom idea didn't fit in with theirs.

The AMA, btw, has towing too without the regimented philosophy.

Just my opinion.

That sounds suspiciously like Scientology!  ???

[vanavyman]

   Trish and I have been members of GWRRA for 15-20 years.  In our area we find them to be respectful and fun to ride and socialize with.  Any type of bike can be in our chapter and no one is critical of how much or how little protective gear you ride with.  Training is always available if interested.  This organization is part of our social network and some really nice folks.  I've heard some areas are not like that.  We like having several different couples to ride with.  We are different than a lot of folks as we ride together everywhere we go.  Finding other couples that like to ride a lot is not always easy to find and GWRRA has helped us meet some great friends.
  
  We have found that the GL1500 and GL1800 are different types of bikes.  We had a nice GL1500 for 11 years and Trish loved it.  It is still her favorite bike we've owned.  Very smooth bike  that rides like a Cadillac.  The GL1800 has a lower center of gravity and handles better in corners.  Love the extra power when riding 2 up pulling a trailer in the mountains.  We ride our GL1800 when taking long trips of over 10-12 hours a day.  This is a great time to buy a Goldwing.  Lots of low mileage 1500 and older 1800s on the market.  We plan to keep a Goldwing and Valkyrie for several more years.

Dan

[mike72903]

Appreciate everyones input. I just never saw myself as a wing rider, prefer the cruiser look, but sometimes you just have to go with the flow.  I looked at new Goldwings at a dealership in another town today while waiting for Grandson to show up.  My gosh, they all look so much like.... well a Goldwing.  More stuff then I would ever use and I've had cars smaller than the trikes.  No prices posted but noticed they had like four offices for financing

[Ken Tarver]

CI_borg
My wife and I have been members for almost 20 years. Been some of the most memorable experiences in our life. About your membership....you'll probably not get any feedback till you get your package in the mail. The pack will likely have a magazine, the gold book, member card, and perhaps some other informational materials. And like most all memberships (or subscription, it will be likely 4-6 six weeks to get your stuff). There are a good many benefits...motel discounts, rental car discounts, and much more. The "gold book" is a very good travel tool, it has a membership list by state and city, if you have trouble in your travels, you have a source for contacting someone for assistance. there is a list of codes with the members listed as to what services they can provide, ie: tools, towing, lodging. Many folks have been assisted by fellow members as they travel, myself included with a tire issue in Buford, GA on a Sunday/holiday weekend.
GWRRA has one the most effective rider training training programs in the country...be it beginner or advanced rider training, also trike training.
As far as being regimented...maybe as some folks see it, but nothing is forced on the general membership from the home office. Now true, some local chapters may have an attitude of complete and full participation. We have held several different chapter and state officer positions, our belief is (and expressed it many times) that a member participate as much or as little as they desire. In fact, as a member, you don't even have to participate with a local chapter, many don't but they desire to have the other benefits available.
We hope your experience is good. Ours has been, and we look upon our fellow members as family.
Oh one more thing, you may hear that you can't drink alcohol blah blah blah....not true....it is discouraged though to drink and then ride. Let's save the drink till after the rides are over and done for the day. WELCOME

Ken

[ptgb]

Just got a 2012 Goldwing over the winter. Will be the main touring machine for us for the foreseeable future. Going to pick up another Valk for customizing and local stuff.

Pros:

Power and handling
Low maintenance (less than the Valk (it's newer).
Many more accessories available
Many more features for a "gadget and dodadery" guy

Cons:

It's an Accord on two wheels - nothing unique about it. For the first couple weeks I thought I might have smelled as no one comes up to you at the gas pumps, like they did when I had the Valk.

Needs mods to make into a mega-mile eating machine, comfort-wise (kinda like the Valk).


I stopped at the GWRRA's "Buckeye Rally" - the Ohio GWRRA get together. Kinda felt like I was walking into "the home". Lot's of card playing and decorated campers. Even at 47, it's a little too old of a crowd for me. Lot's of "directors" for each chapter... kinda looks like a lot of Chiefs and not that many Indians. Not my kinda crowd (even though I do like the Dairy Queen).

... maybe in a decade or two.




  

[Gryphon Rider]

Finally joined the GWRAA yesterday.  Or think I did as I have not received any kind of email from them yet regarding a member number, password etc.  Is it typical to have to wait a day or more?  They took my $80 quickly enough

I think they are waiting on the pics of you and your wife in matching riding attire. 

CI_borg, what you have to do is find out where a parade is happening, then after the parade follow the shriners group, waiting for an opportunity to surreptitiously "borrow" a couple of their uniforms for a photo.  Make the photo a little fuzzy and the GWRRA will never know the difference.   

[mike72903]

ptgb said "Needs mods to make into a mega-mile eating machine, comfort-wise (kinda like the Valk)."
I did not know that.  I assumed the GW was comfortable as originally equipped.   That's disappointing.

[ptgb]

ptgb said "Needs mods to make into a mega-mile eating machine, comfort-wise (kinda like the Valk)."
I did not know that.  I assumed the GW was comfortable as originally equipped.   That's disappointing.

Yes it's a big ol' bike, but if you are 6 feet tall or over, the seating position is cramped. I had an interim seat mod done to move back about 2 inches for this riding season. I still need to go back an inch or two and about an inch higher. Over the winter, I will have the seat redone by Russell Day Long to which I am sure it will be super comfy riding.

[vanavyman]

There are always used seats for sale on gl1800riders.com throughout the year.  I currently run a Diamond Custom seat that moves me up an inch and back 2 inches in the warm months and a heated Corbin in the Winter.  Have about $600 total in both seats.  Tried several to get the ones I like.  Seats and highway pegs are a lot more important the larger or taller you are.

Dan

[mike72903]

There are always used seats for sale on gl1800riders.com throughout the year.  I currently run a Diamond Custom seat that moves me up an inch and back 2 inches in the warm months and a heated Corbin in the Winter.  Have about $600 total in both seats.  Tried several to get the ones I like.  Seats and highway pegs are a lot more important the larger or taller you are.

Dan

Let me clarify a bit.  It's the wife that needs to be comfortable.  I can deal with some discomfort but in order for me to take extended trips over multiple days with her, she needs to be more comfortable than she is on the Valks Mustang passenger seat.  We tried the ultimate and she immediately hated that. Are the wings stock passenger seats comfortable for a woman about 5'5"?

[Ken Tarver]

CI_borg
your wife of 5' 5" tall should be great on the stock seat...not trying to get personal, she toward the thinner side or the fluffy side? thinner should be no prob at all, if a bit bigger, some of the foam can be taken out of the co-rider backrest so she can scoot back some.
Some ladies find that the backrest leans back too far on the 1800, removing some of the foam on the lower end of backrest remedies that also. I had a 1500 wing for 10 years, 100,000 miles on the stock seat, 2 1800 wings total about 120,000 miles on the stock seat. I developed a recuring tailbone pain over the last several years, so had a mod done to the stock seat that took care of that problem.
You know, harley folks immediately change the exhaust from stock to straights, well most wingers think they have to immediately change the seat, and the windshield to a super tall one. I guess I'm weird, never did either.

Ken

[vanavyman]

My wife is 5'4" 160-170 and has been comfortable on most Goldwing seats on our 1500 and 1800 except the Corbin. She uses pads on the Corbin if the ride is over an hour. Our issue has been getting her comfortable on my Valkyrie Interstate which has cost me a couple thousand in pipes, seat and pegs. Much easier to customize the Wing to make her comfortable. My wife has longer legs so we got the passenger highway pegs that fold down on the 1800.  She LOVES these and helps her stay comfortable for some longer 12-14 hour days. Some women with shorter legs want their feet up rather than out. Trying to customize the passenger pegs on the Valkyrie is much harder.
Dan

[Reb]

The GWRRA 

Can't say I've had good dealing with anyone when making an attempt to join a group ride. I was ridiculed for making my Goldwing look stupid, loud, unsafe, and obnoxious.

I was told I needed a group riding vest with 300 badges a shiny things dangling from the chest to signify my importance. 

I'm sure there are great people in that organization and I would attempt to give it a second chance in the future

[fudgie]

The GWRRA 

Can't say I've had good dealing with anyone when making an attempt to join a group ride. I was ridiculed for making my Goldwing look stupid, loud, unsafe, and obnoxious.

I was told I needed a group riding vest with 300 badges a shiny things dangling from the chest to signify my importance. 

I'm sure there are great people in that organization and I would attempt to give it a second chance in the future

Get a vest and sew 300 PBR bottle caps on it. 

[henry 008]

The GWRRA 

Can't say I've had good dealing with anyone when making an attempt to join a group ride. I was ridiculed for making my Goldwing look stupid, loud, unsafe, and obnoxious.

I was told I needed a group riding vest with 300 badges a shiny things dangling from the chest to signify my importance. 

I'm sure there are great people in that organization and I would attempt to give it a second chance in the future

Get a vest and sew 300 PBR bottle caps on it. 

now your thinking fudgie 

[RP#62]

I've been to a few GWRRA rallies.  I was OK with the funny hats, but riding around in matching pajamas was a deal breaker.

-RP

[Danny McMillin]

I believe that the foot positions on a Wing will change the seating position for the passenger! There are several different types of passenger floorboards available that will re-position her feet and legs, therefore re-positioning her seating position. It ain't always in the seat. Very easy to check out. Before spending $800, and up, on a "custom seat", that ain't so custom, set blocks of wood on passenger floorboard, and see if this doesn't eliminate some "seat fatique".

I have two different footrest positions on my Valk, and on my Wing. They allow the passenger to change foot positions, which allow a different seating position. Has worked for us for about 35 years, and 1.6 million miles!

[mike72903]

Most everyone is making the GWRRA sound mighty unappealing to me 
And thanks for the tip Danny about alternate foot peg positions. Going to look into that.

[Danny McMillin]

Although I am quite bias, I am disappointed with what has been said about GWRRA here, on this forum. I have attended many functions with many groups, and although I didn't care for some, I didn't get on public forums, and down them to new members. Give your membership a chance, and don't put too much emphasis  on what everyone elses opinion is. I am a lifetime member, have held offices up to, and including the Regional  level, and have enjoyed in excess of 34 years belonging to the Association. Anyone can be critical of any group; I could critique and criticize this or any other group, however I choose not to. Be your own judge, and enjoy GWRRA if you decide to. Nuff said!